maanantai 19. tammikuuta 2009

Quicksilver is the single most useful application I've ever had on any computer. At face value, it's a simple launcher that allows you to fire up any application using keyboard shortcuts. If you're a Mac user, it's a lot like Spotlight, but infinitely more customizable and, with the right skin, sexy.

Sweeping fanboyism aside, I found this humorous. And kind of creepy. I was attempting to launch my Dictionary application, but instead of typing in the traditional "dic" shortcut, an extra "k" snuck in. Make of this slip what you will, I was surprised at what Quicksilver suggested I might be looking for:

I have since uninstalled the Safari plug-in from Quicksilver, not wanting to get into trouble with the authorities. Also, to be safe, I changed the name of my dictionary program to "Cocktionary" to avoid further confusion.

tiistai 13. tammikuuta 2009

Taking my MacBook in to be fixed up with a new (free) HD, I was offered the opportunity of replacing the keyboard casing for no additional charge. The casing has a design flaw that resulted in it cracking if you slam down the lid too hard, so the replacement procedure was also covered by the original guarantee.

Some days later, I was roaming around town, knowing that the computer would be available for me to take home in a matter of minutes, and received a call from the store. Apple had sent in the wrong spare part: instead of the light grey keyboard casing for my white MB, they sent a black one. I was told that it would unfortunately take an additional day for the correct part to arrive.

I objected, not in a serious tone but half in jest, that they should bolt on the black casing and let me have the computer right away. Being answered with a rather amused "why not", I said I'd traipse into the store to see how it would look. It looked good. Some clerks gathered around to positively comment on the rather unorthodox looking Mac, and without further thought I asked them to pack it up to go. Result (the pictures are low quality and don't really do justice to the proper item):

Later, I googled the Internet Machine Space for similar configurations, and found out that what I have is actually called a "Panda" MacBook by some. Superficial MacBook modding seems to be rather popular amongst enthusiasts, but my mod is special – it's the result of serendipity.